2025 Saints Roster Has More LSU Tigers Than Players from Any Other College Program
NEW ORLEANS, La. — For fans of both the New Orleans Saints and LSU Tigers, 2025 has brought about an exciting—and perhaps poetic—intersection of football loyalty. For the first time in franchise history, the Saints’ roster features more players from Louisiana State University than from any other college program, a symbolic moment for a state that breathes football at every level.
With the 2025 NFL Draft and recent offseason moves now complete, the Saints head into training camp with a roster that includes seven former LSU Tigers, the most from any single college program on the team. While the Saints have long featured a handful of LSU alums in various roles, this year’s roster reflects a purposeful embrace of local talent—and a growing recognition of the Tigers as an NFL pipeline.
But the significance runs deeper than just numbers. It marks a cultural synergy between Louisiana’s flagship university and its only NFL franchise, providing fans with a hometown connection that resonates beyond the gridiron.
The LSU-Saints Pipeline: From Baton Rouge to the Superdome
The relationship between LSU and the Saints hasn’t always been so LSU-heavy. For years, fans across Louisiana wondered why the Saints seemed reluctant to draft or sign Tiger alumni. While a few standouts like Devery Henderson and Will Clapp left their mark in New Orleans, LSU players were more commonly found shining for rival franchises.
That perception has shifted dramatically under current Saints GM Mickey Loomis and head coach Dennis Allen. Whether driven by need, opportunity, or a desire to connect more deeply with the regional fanbase, the Saints now appear to be actively courting former LSU stars—and they’re getting results.
Here’s a breakdown of the current LSU players on the Saints’ 2025 roster:
- WR Malik Nabers (1st Round, 2024)
- DL Maason Smith (2nd Round, 2024)
- CB Derek Stingley Jr. (Acquired via trade from Texans, 2025)
- OL Damien Lewis (Free agent signing, 2023)
- LB Micah Baskerville (Practice squad promotion, 2024)
- TE Thaddeus Moss (Reserve/future contract, 2025)
- C Lloyd Cushenberry III (Free agent signing, 2025)
The list reads like a who’s who of recent LSU standouts, and together they represent nearly every level of the depth chart—offense, defense, special teams, and developmental units.
Malik Nabers: The Face of the New Era
No player better represents the Saints’ renewed commitment to LSU talent than wide receiver Malik Nabers. Drafted with the No. 14 overall pick in 2024, Nabers entered the league with sky-high expectations—and he’s more than delivered.
In his rookie season, Nabers hauled in 78 catches for 1,102 yards and 7 touchdowns, quickly establishing himself as quarterback Derek Carr’s go-to target. His speed, toughness, and after-the-catch ability turned heads across the league, but it was his comfort level in New Orleans that stood out most.
“I’m playing for my people,” Nabers said last season. “There’s nothing like hearing the Superdome roar and knowing I’ve got Baton Rouge behind me.”
Nabers has become the centerpiece of the Saints’ offensive future, and in doing so, he’s opened the door for even more LSU talent to follow.
Building in the Trenches: Maason Smith and Damien Lewis
In 2024, the Saints doubled down on their LSU pipeline by selecting defensive lineman Maason Smith in the second round. Once one of the top recruits in the nation, Smith battled injuries during his time in Baton Rouge but flashed elite potential when healthy. Now fully recovered, Smith is poised to be a breakout star in New Orleans.
Smith joins Damien Lewis, the rugged offensive guard who signed with the Saints in 2023 after four strong seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Lewis has brought veteran leadership and run-blocking dominance to a Saints offensive line in transition.
Together, Smith and Lewis represent the core of what the Saints hope to build—tough, physical, and fundamentally sound football rooted in Louisiana grit.
A Homecoming for Derek Stingley Jr.
Perhaps the most headline-grabbing move of the 2025 offseason was the Saints’ trade with the Houston Texans to acquire cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., a former No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Once hailed as a generational defensive back prospect, Stingley battled inconsistency and injuries in Houston. A change of scenery—and a return to his home state—may be exactly what he needs to regain his elite form.
“It’s special. Not everybody gets to come home and play for the team they grew up watching,” Stingley said at his introductory press conference. “I’ve got family in the stands every week. I’ve got pride in the jersey I’m wearing.”
If Stingley can stay healthy and reclaim his All-SEC-level play, he could be a steal for the Saints and another feather in the cap of LSU’s NFL legacy.
Depth and Development: Baskerville, Moss, and Cushenberry
Not every LSU-to-Saints story is a first-round headline. Linebacker Micah Baskerville, a key special teamer and reserve defender, worked his way up from the practice squad to the 53-man roster through sheer hustle and football IQ.
Tight end Thaddeus Moss, the son of Hall of Famer Randy Moss and former LSU national champion, joined the Saints on a reserve/future contract in 2025. While he has yet to crack the main rotation, he’s a familiar name to LSU fans and a sentimental favorite in the locker room.
Meanwhile, Lloyd Cushenberry III, who started 57 games at center for the Denver Broncos, signed with the Saints to shore up the offensive line. Cushenberry brings stability, experience, and another Tiger pedigree to a unit that has long needed consistency.
Why It Matters: Local Heroes, Stronger Bonds
The Saints’ embrace of LSU talent goes beyond strategy—it’s smart business.
Louisiana football fans are intensely loyal. On Saturdays, they bleed purple and gold. On Sundays, it’s black and gold. The opportunity to unite both allegiances in a single roster builds stronger ties between the franchise and its fanbase.
“It’s genius, honestly,” said longtime Saints fan and Baton Rouge native Mariah Doucet. “We’ve been watching these guys since they were 18 years old. Now they’re playing for us, not against us? That’s a dream.”
For young athletes in Louisiana, the Saints’ LSU-heavy roster also serves as a tangible path. It shows that success at LSU can lead directly to an NFL career close to home.
A Shift in Philosophy?
In recent years, the Saints have been criticized for missing on some high-end LSU prospects in the draft—players like Justin Jefferson and Patrick Queen, who went on to thrive elsewhere. That criticism has clearly left a mark.
Now, it appears the Saints are not only scouting LSU more aggressively but investing in relationships with players, coaches, and agents connected to the program. With the pipeline to Baton Rouge stronger than ever, it could become a cornerstone of the Saints’ future recruiting and drafting strategies.
Head coach Dennis Allen addressed the shift during OTAs:
“There’s a level of comfort and familiarity that comes with LSU guys. They understand what football means here. They’re used to the pressure, the culture, the expectations. That’s valuable.”
Looking Ahead: The Next Wave of LSU Talent?
With another loaded LSU roster poised to send more players to the NFL in 2026, could the Saints continue to mine Tiger gold?
Names like Harold Perkins, Will Campbell, and Brian Thomas Jr. are already drawing first-round buzz for next year’s draft. If the Saints’ current LSU alumni continue to perform, don’t be surprised if New Orleans becomes a preferred destination for future Tigers.
The synergy between LSU and the Saints isn’t just a trend—it’s a potential identity. A Louisiana-powered team, led by its own sons, playing for the hearts of a state united by football.
The Heart of the Bayou Beats in Black and Gold
For too long, the dream of a Saints team built on LSU talent felt like a fantasy—one that fans talked about on call-in shows and sports forums, but rarely saw on the field. In 2025, that dream has become a reality.
The New Orleans Saints are no longer just Louisiana’s NFL team—they’re Louisiana’s team, period. With a roster that mirrors the pride and passion of the state, and a collection of LSU stars ready to shine under the Superdome lights, the bond between Baton Rouge and New Orleans has never been stronger.
And for the fans who live and breathe both programs, there’s nothing more gratifying than seeing the state’s best stay home and thrive.
